The Stewart Watson Memorial cup was gifted to the band by Stewart’s family, following his death in 1996. The family donated a cup to each of the bands in the city including; Granite City Brass, Aberdeen City Youth Brass Band, and the band Stewart founded, Bon-Accord Silver Band.

Colin Reid Memorial Award
Community Band Musician of the Year

Year

Player

Instrument

2017

Susan Stewart

Cornet

2016

Molly Lees

Tenor Horn

2015

Hannah Noble

Euphonium

2014

Jude McGowan

Trombone

Colin Reid

The Colin Reid Memorial Award was purchased by the band in 2014 as a fitting tribute to a percussion player who served the band for many years as a great musician who also served for a period of time on the committee. He passed away in 2007 following a stroke.

Neil Ferguson Memorial Award
GCB Bandsman of the Year

Year

Player

Instrument

2017

Philip Eost

Percussion

2016

Allan Wilson

Cornet

2015

John Benzie

Tenor Horn

2014

Martin Neale

Bass Trombone

Neil Ferguson

The Neil Ferguson Memorial Award was again purchased by the band in 2014 to honour a devoted bandsman and friend to many in the band over the years, and a fine musician with a natural affinity for the soprano cornet. He excelled in many roles within the band, including secretary, chairman and fundraising organiser. Neil also served on the committee of the Northern Counties Brass Band Association, culminating in his election as Chairman. It is with this in mind that the Neil Ferguson Award is to be given to the Bandsman of the Year, nominated by the players of the band.

Stewart Gilmour Memorial Award
GCB Musician of the Year

Year

Player

Instrument

2017

Lewis Catto

Euphonium

2016

Tom Rafferty

Cornet

2015

James Boulton

Baritone

2014

Alan Haggart

Soprano Cornet

Stewart Gilmour

The Stewart Gilmour Memorial Award was also purchased by the band in 2014 in memory of a dedicated bandsman and talented musician who played the Flugel horn with great distinction in the band. Stewart had latterly been the band’s chairman, and played in the band through many successes. For 16 years Stewart was Principal Teacher of Music at St Machar Academy but held the post of Deputy Head Teacher at the time of his untimely death aged only 48. Stewart’s musical talent didn’t go unnoticed and in the 2007 national finals 4barsrest wrote: ‘…in the ‘Elegy’ where Stewart Gilmour on flugel was the star that the band showed what it was capable of.’